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AUTUMN IS HARVEST TIME IN THE BIG APPLE

Fall 2000 Brings Excitement in New York City

Fall is always an exciting time to be in New York City and for the first autumn of the new millennium, the city is bursting with new energy and vitality. Ground-breaking new museum exhibitions include a commemoration of the 1000-year anniversary of the Viking journey to North America - 500 years before Columbus - the Museum of Modern Art's first entire show of its collection of post-1960 works and the Metropolitan Museum of Art's landmark Art and the Empire City: New York, 1825-1861.

Art and the Empire City

One of the most eagerly anticipated museum shows in town is Art and the

Empire City: New York, 1825-1861, opening on September 19, 2000 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Fifth Ave. and 82nd St., 212/535-7710). This landmark exhibition of more than 300 mid-19th century works created in and about New York City prior to the Civil War chronicles the city's birth as the center of American culture.

The American Museum of Natural History (Central Park West at 79th St., 212/769-5100) is hardly resting on its laurels following the debut of its Rose Center for Earth and Space last spring. Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga, opening October 21st, commemorates the 1000-year anniversary of the Viking arrival in North America with never-seen artifacts from Scandinavia.

For the first time in its history, The Museum of Modern Art (11 W. 53rd St. bet. Fifth & Sixth Aves., 212/708-9480) will focus solely on post-1960 works from its extraordinary collection in Open Ends, the final exhibition of the MoMA2000 series. Beginning September 28, well-known icons by artists such as Jasper Johns and Andy Warhol will share space with many recently acquired works shown at MoMA for the first time.

At the Whitney Museum of American Art (945 Madison Ave. at 75th St., 212/570-3676) a retrospective of works by Edward Steichen, beginning October 5, celebrates one of the greatest and most influential photographers of the twentieth century.

The New York City Ballet (New York State Theater, Columbus Ave. at 63rd St., 212/870-5570) launches its fall season on November 21st with the company's annual Opening Night Gala, followed by George Balanchine's much-loved The Nutcracker, from November 24 - December 31. From October 12-17, The New York Philharmonic (Avery Fisher Hall, 65th St. & Bdwy., 212/875-5656) will present a very special series of performances honoring the memory of Leonard Bernstein, including the late conductor's own Symphony No. 1, "Jeremiah." And the awe-inspiring Metropolitan Opera House (Lincoln Center, 64th St. & Bdway., 212/362-6000), will present the season premiere of Don Giovanni , with Renée Fleming and Bryn Terfel in the leading roles (September 25).

Fall Feasts & Festivals

New York's fine autumn weather provides the perfect backdrop for outdoor events. On September 10, Broadway will take over Times Square for the free, annual Broadway on Broadway extravaganza, which begins with the inaugural Continental Airlines Broadway on Broadway Run. The 2.5-mile run, kicks off in Central Park and finishes in the heart of Times Square. Prior to the start of the run a costume parade and contest will kick-off the activities - runners dress as their favorite Broadway characters to win prizes from the event sponsors (1-888/BROADWAY). KidAround Downtown (September 23-24) is a weekend of family fun at the South Street Seaport and other locations (212/835-2789). From September 14-24, food, games and entertainment will abound at Little Italy's famous Feast of San Gennaro (Mulberry St., 212/768-9320). Other street festivities include the Columbus Avenue Street Fair on September 17(66th to 86th Sts., 212/541-8222) and Brooklyn's Atlantic Antic Street Festival (Atlantic Ave. from Flatbush Ave. to Furman St., 718/875-8993) on September 24.  Indulge your cravings at The Chocolate Show, four days dedicated solely to chocolate - how to prepare, decorate and indulge in it!  It takes place November 16 to 19 at Event International, (8 Broadway Alley, 212/545-7616, http://www.ChocolateShow.com

New Hotel Openings

Hotel development is booming, with 3,200 to 4,000 new hotel rooms set to open this year. New additions include the 444-room Hilton Times Square (234 W. 42nd St. bet. 7th & 8th Aves., 212/840-8222), the 463-room Embassy Suites in Battery Park City (102 North End Ave. at Vesey St., 212/945-0100) and the 398-room Sofitel (W. 44th Street bet. Fifth & Sixth Aves., 212/286-4108). Further downtown, the 203-room TriBeCa Grand (2 Ave. of Americas bet. Church and Walker, 212/519-6600) joins its hip sister property, the SoHo Grand. Another chic offering coming in fall 2000 is the Park South Hotel (122 E. 28th St. bet. Park & Lexington Aves.) The 143-room property, owned by Majestic Hotels, will follow in the trendy footsteps of its South Beach sister, The Avalon.

For the latest and most comprehensive listings of New York City events, check out NYC & Company's official web site at http://www.nycvisit.com call 800/NYC-VISIT or stop by NYC's Official Visitor Information Center at 810 Seventh Ave. at 53rd Street.

Edited by Kerry Cohen

-Updated 8-21-00-

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